W. H. Clune
William H. Clune was an American railroad property developer, film exchange and then theater chain owner, film studio owner, and film producer.
Career
Born in Hannibal, Missouri, Clune owned a chain of theaters in Southern California. He launched his studio in 1915. His film productions were based on novels. His first production was 1916's Ramona.He played hardball with competitors. He came into dispute with Nell Shipman over their film projects together.
He died in Los Angeles, two months past his 65th birthday. He is buried at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in a crypt.
Clune was an investor in Epoch Film Producing Corp. The Birth of a Nation, originally released as The Clansman in February 1915, had its world premiere at Clune's Auditorium on Pershing Square in the Core, Los Angeles|Core] of Los Angeles.
Filmography
- Ramona, based the book Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson about life in California's early days
- The [Eyes of the World (1917 film)|The Eyes of the World], filmed in Redlands, California, adapted from the Harold Bell Wright's novel The Eyes of [the World (novel)|The Eyes of the World]
- From Manger to Cross
- A Bear, a Boy and a Dog by Nell Shipman
- ''The Girl From God's Country''
Theaters
- Clune's Downtown, 453 South Main Street
- Clune's Exclusive, 547 S. Broadway
- Clune's Broadway, 528 S. Broadway
- Clune's Pasadena, 61 W. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena
- Clune's Auditorium, 5th and Olive